Australia (Besides Melbourne And Sydney) Master Thread

[Moishebatchy]

Go to Australia and not levee MEL or SYD? Are you Lucky? Do the GOR

Sun-Wed=GOR+Grampians

The problem with the GOR for me is that in my experience, I don't really enjoy long scenic drives, usually (especially if I'm on the "wrong" side of the road). I'm sure others are different, but... for me personally, the stress and concentration of having to focus on all sorts of trivialities - like, y'know, steering, watching the road, not driving off a cliff, etc. - kinda hinders my sightseeing a bit.

If it's purely for the scenic drive alone (and then immediately heading back), I don't think it's for me. Unless you're telling me that it's not just about the drive itself, but that various stops along the way are worthy as destinations in and of themselves? I.e. Is there interesting stuff to do see and do every, say, 2 hours or so along the drive?

[Ergel]

Read some of the TRs and decide for yourself. To me, to be in the vicinity of some of the most beautiful things on God's green earth and not see them is crazy

[Moishebatchy]

With just that time:
Thu-Sun morning=MEL
Sun-Wed=GOR+Grampians
Wed-Sun=SYD

Add in a couple more days to add Cairns or Kangaroo Island.  Tasmania needs at least 4 more days.

I don't really have any extra days to add in at this point, without burning the candle at both ends... So skip the islands? I.e. From a flights perspective, I should tell myself that I'm landing in MEL on Thursday, flying MEL-SYD on Wednesday, and then flying out of SYD on Sunday morning at 10 AM, with no further air travel within Australia/New Zealand?

[Dan]

I.e. Is there interesting stuff to do see and do every, say, 2 hours or so along the drive?

There is.
And it's not a day trip like Road to Hana.
It's an epic several day journey when combined with the Grampians.

Also you get over the driving thing after an hour. And there are lots of signs to remind you to drive on the left.

[Moishebatchy]

Read some of the TRs and decide for yourself. To me, to be in the vicinity of some of the most beautiful things on God's green earth and not see them is crazy

I have read them... the pickings are kinda slim, unfortunately. Not enough info.

[Moishebatchy]

There is.
And it's not a day trip like Road to Hana.
It's an epic several day journey when combined with the Grampians.

Thanks. What specific website or book do you think I would find most useful for plotting out my route, besides your TR? (Yes, I've seen the recommendations for Australia in general; I wanna know which resource is best for planning a GOR trip specifically.)

And for a really DDF-ish question... any SPG properties along the GOR?

[Dan]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1742204236/?tag=cl03f-20

Not only no SPGs, mostly no hotels.
You need to search for mom and pop places, hostels, and B&Bs.  And you need to map out everything beforehand to know where to book.  I was too aggressive in thinking how much ground I'd cover per day.

Was a refreshing experience for us switching between 2 PHs and those places

[Moishebatchy]

Also you get over the driving thing after an hour. And there are lots of signs to remind you to drive on the left.

Hmmmmmm, let's see... Tractor trailer barreling along at me in the same lane as me at full speed, horn blaring? Nah.

Little yellow signs? Ah, THAT'LL do the trick! 💡

[Moishebatchy]

Was a refreshing experience for us switching between 2 PHs and those places

Which actually brings me to my next general question: why is everyone so obsessed with the PHs down there? Are there no good SPG properties? Seems almost a shame to have SPG Plat and not even be able to use it...

[Dan]

Which actually brings me to my next general question: why is everyone so obsessed with the PHs down there? Are there no good SPG properties? Seems almost a shame to have SPG Plat and not even be able to use it...

Because they're freakin' awesome. Duh
SPG is pathetic down there.

[Moishebatchy]

Because they're freakin' awesome. Duh
SPG is pathetic down there.

Gotcha.

Maybe I'll even have enough nights to (almost) complete a Diamond challenge... Cash & Points seem to be good value at the PH MEL, correct? Would I get night credits toward the challenge for that, and also would I be able to apply a DSU toward those nights? That would be awesome - so awesome, in fact, that it may be worth trying it at the PH SYD as well, despite the dismal C&P value.

[Dan]

Yes to all except PH SYD does not accept DSUs.

[Moishebatchy]

Yes to all except PH SYD does not accept DSUs.

PH SYD specifically? Or all Hyatts in that category?

[Dan]

"Exclusions: Andaz Tokyo, Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa, Hyatt Santa Barbara, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Hyatt Regency Tulsa, Hyatt Regency Wichita, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Park Hyatt Sydney, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House or Hyatt Residence Club properties or M life Resort"

[Moishebatchy]

"Exclusions: Andaz Tokyo, Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa, Hyatt Santa Barbara, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Hyatt Regency Tulsa, Hyatt Regency Wichita, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Park Hyatt Sydney, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House or Hyatt Residence Club properties or M life Resort"

Wow, what a random list. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Yehoshua]

Did you write an AU TR?

Not yet. It's on my list of things to do though

[Joe4007]

Maybe I'll even have enough nights to (almost) complete a Diamond challenge...

If it'll come back that is...

[damaxer91]

Thinking of arriving in MEL on a Thursday and staying for that Shabbos, then spending the following Shabbos in SYD and exiting Australia that Sunday morning via SYD, while (obviously) making the transition from MEL to SYD at some point in the week. Not sure yet where to go in between the two. We're not the type to hop another tiny flight every day or two to experience a million different places; heck, if my conscience would let me get away with just MEL and SYD, I'd consider it.

If you had to pick ONE place to go between those two shabbosim, where would it be - Tasmania? Cairns? Maybe hop all the way over to NZ for a few days? Something else?

Or maybe just be completely lame, and do only MEL and SYD? 🙈

Meh...

Skip MEL and go to Surfers for Shabbos and then on to Hamilton Island

[Dan]

Meh...

Skip MEL and go to Surfers for Shabbos and then on to Hamilton Island

Only point of HTI is if you can swing the Qualia.

[damaxer91]

Only point of HTI is if you can swing the Qualia.

Na, its a beautiful area and Hayman Island has been redone as well

Need to go see the Great Barrier Reef if you go all the way put there and its a good jumping off point